PS 3531 
.0787 
B7 
1922 



""'_rhe Bright Side;* 

A HISTORY OF MY LIFE. 



EDWARD L. POTTS. 




Yours, on the "Bright Side" of life. 
"Eddie" 



"THE BRIGHT SIDE, 

With History Of My Life. 



>> 



By EDWARD L. POTTS. 




Pentecostal Publishing Company, 
Louisville, Ky. 



0^ 



^r^s' 



N^ 



Entered according to act of Congress, in 
the year 1922, 

By Edward L. Potts, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at 
Washington, D. C. 



C1A60C322 



FEB 10 73 



TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN 



We the undersigned hereby recommend 
Edward L. Potts to be honest and upright in 
all of his dealings and his character above re- 
proach. We consider him a worthy, deserv- 
ing young fellow. Owing to his physical in- 
firmities he is unable to do the ordinary work 
of a man and any consideration shown him 
will be very much appreciated by him and 
ourselves. 

A. Cunningham, V. P. & Cash. Peoples Bank 
C. P. Deming, Jr., Asst. Cash. Peoples Bank. 
Byron Tisdale, Asst. Cash. Peoples Bank. 

Mr. Edward L. Potts, 
Owassa, Ala. 
My dear Boy: I am glad indeed to have 
your good letter telling me that you are ready 
to bring out your book. 

I remember all about the anxiety that I 
felt in bringing my own book to press when 
I was on bed, and I am glad to send you my 
check for $12, per my agreement sometime 
ago. God bless you and give you increasing 
victory. Faithfully yours. 

Congressman W. D. Upshaw, 

Atlanta, Ga. 

Brother Upshaw was the first one to give 
me an advanced order for my books, and he 
helped me by advising how to prepare my 
book for the press, etc. 



"THE BRIGHT SIDE/' WITH HISTORY 
OF MY LIFE. 

INTRODUCTION. 

To My Readers : 

I have had it on my mind for a long time 
to write a little book — the history of my life. 
It is a large task for one whose education is 
so meager, but believing it to be God's will, 
by His help I am writing this little message 
hoping it may be a bit of inspiration to some- 
one, somewhere. Probably it may help some- 
one to see the *'bright side" of life as I have 
seen it. You who read this little book will 
please overlook all mistakes. 

"Through this toilsome world, alas. 

Once and only once I pass. 

If a kindness I may show 

If a good deed I may do 

To my suffering fellowmen ; 

Let me do it while I can, 

Nor delay it for 'tis plain 

I'll not pass this way again." 



CONTENTS. 

1. My Childhood Days 7 

2. My School Days 11 

3. My Health and Work 13 

4. My Last Work in the Fields 15 

5. My Trip to the Hospital 20 

6. Something of My Life 22 

7. With the Children 24 

8. Playing 27 

9. Nature 33 

10. With the Children, Birds and 

Flowers 36 

11. Spring 42 

12. With the Shut-ins 48 

13. Dreams 52 

14. Heaven 57 



CHAPTER I. 

MY CHILDHOOD DAYS. 

I was (born October 2, 1882, in Conecuh 
Coifnty, Alabama. I am now living near the 
Sepulga River about twenty miles from 
where my childhood days were spent. Many 
happy days did I spend on this river. My 
earliest recollections are those of playing 
with my corncob oxen, hauling logs to my 
little mill. My brother and I would get out 
hewn timber and haul it with our corncob 
oxen, to the river. We had a little brook for 
our river. We built little houses, fenced lit- 
tle fields and raised little crops. 

CHILDHOOD DAYS. 

0, those happy days of childhood 
When on little fields I stood, 
And my tiny seeds did sow ; 
Those sweet days of long ago. 

Brother and I, we never failed 
To fence our little farm with rails. 
We never failed to make a crop, 
And never let our little fence rot. 

You see our oxen we had to feed, 
So we planted corn and peas. 
Yes, we needed peas and corn 
To feed our oxen with no horns. 
7 



8 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

One old ox we had named Red, 
He would nearly eat off his head ; 
But always when we were hauling 
I never knew old Red stalling. 

Another ox we had named Blue, 
He was tied the long day through; 
For if loose he'd always run 
And old Blue could sure go some. 

I cannot all their names recall, 
One, I know we had, named Ball. 
And old Ben, Buck, Nig and Jess; 
ril leave the rest for you to guess. 

We had our geese and ducks and chicks, 
Always killed one when we were sick. 
We had horses, hogs and cows. 
We worked our horses to our plows. 

Thus the days of childhood passed 
All too soon, 'tis ours at last 
Now to work and not to play. 
Even the oxen went their way. 

E. L. P. 

When I was about nine years old I came in 
possession of a little dog — a mere puppy, 
with white and red specks scattered all over 
him. I raised him from the time he was very 
small. I called him Sang. He was a fine dog 
and where I went Sang went, though he sel- 
dom followed me to school. When I would 




1 roiu Kosaliue, by permission. 

Among Nature (A Friend) 



WITH HISTOR YOF MY LIFE 9 

get in hearing distance of the house I would 
hollow and Sang would come out to meet me. 
Then he got the remnant of my noon-day 
meal which he enjoyed very much. He was 
my constant companion and we roamed the 
woods many times. 

OUR LITTLE TRAIL. 

Over the forest we used to roam 
Sang and I, all around home, 
Over the fences, among the trees, 
Into the water up to our knees. 

Down to the river we would go, 
Up the hills fast or slow. 
Often a little trail we went 
When by Mama we were sent. 

To Grandma's house this little trail led 
And o'er it often did our little feet tread. 
One thing which happened very rarely 
When mother did not say, "Don't tarry." 

But if perchance Sang treed a rabbit. 
As that most surely was his habit, 
I was sure to waste some time 
Getting the rabbit out of the pine. 

A log lengthwise in this trail 
Across we'd trot with our little pail. 
This log made a bridge across the brook 
In the quiet, shady little nook. 



10 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

When from Grandma's we are back again 
Mother says, "Where have you been?" 
"Mother, don't you want some rabbit? 
Just look here, you may have it.' ' 

But Sang the rabbit would get to eat 

And he thought rabbit was very good meat. 

Sometimes a ham I liked to bake. 

Just for the change that it would make. 

Sometimes we went to the gopher holes 
Just to have a little stroll. 
Sometimes the gophers we would snare. 
Sang and I the fun would share. 

In the pond we had a boat, 
It would not many people tote. 
For it was made of a wooden box 
And sometimes it wet our sox. 

Poor old Sang, he began to pine, 
Of his disease there was no sign. 
He became very poor indeed. 
To doctor him there seemed no need. 

On one cold and frosty morning. 
Just as the golden day v/as dawning ; 
My brother came to me and said, 
"In the potato house. Sang is dead." 

So on that cold and frosty day 
Sang in his little grave was laid. 
There he sleeps, so sweetly sleeps 
By the river where violets peep. 

E. L. P. 



CHAPTER II. 
MY SCHOOL DAYS. 

I did not have a chance to go to school any 
until I was about ten years of age. After I 
started to school I did not go regularly for I 
had to work, I would go a few days and then 
have to stop a few days, therefore I did not 
get very much education. The school was 
two and one half miles from home, and as 
soon as I began to have rheumatism I could 
not walk, and suffered too, so that I could 
not study. I love that old school-house where 
I used to go to school. It was a little church 
which was used for a school-house. We did 
not have desks like the ones we have now. 
We sat on home-made benches that were so 
high that our feet were dangling, as they 
did not reach the floor. For a back there 
was one plank that struck us about the neck, 
which was very uncomfortable as you know. 
I am not complaining, for that was the best 
they knew to do in those days. I am glad 
that the children today have more comforta- 
ble places to study and get an education. 

This old school-house is still standing, but 
is not used any more. I visited this place 
about two years ago, went into the dust-cov- 
ered church. I also went down the hill to the 
spring ; though the path is now a large gul- 

11 



12 "THE BRIGHT SIDE*' 

ley. I used to run foot races down this hill 
to the spring. The hill where we used to 
slide down on our slide-board, is now a field. 
I always liked to g-o to school though I did 
have poor health when I went. I loved to 
take my little pail and trot up the road to 
school and at noon to get out on a log and eat 
my dinner. Then to spend the noon hour 
playing baseball, catch ball, snap and the 
like; was the greatest time of my life for 
then I could run and play with other chil- 
dren. 

SCHOOL DAYS. 

My childhood days in school, 

I did not go to shirk ; 
For they were few enough. 

As I must stay and work. 

But a blessing were each one, 

Since a cripple I've become; 
Had I not gone at all 

What could I have done? 

Though few those bright school days, 

To me were always merry. 
And here I learned new ways 

To make life bright and cheery. 

My days even now are bright, 

I still find little ways 
To keep my pathway bright — 

For I have found it pays. 



CHAPTER III. 

MY HEALTH AND WORK. 

When I was a child I was stout and could 
run, jump and play like other children. But 
if I ran and played very much during the 
day, my legs would hurt me at night so that 
I could not sleep, and mama would have to 
get up and doctor me with liniments and one 
thing or another. Mother says she thinks 
my legs hurt me when I was a baby for I 
often had spells of crying when she could not 
tell what the trouble was. 

After awhile I began to have spells of 
rheumatism and it would hurt me in my hips, 
knees and feet, but I could go to a doctor and 
get medicine that seemed to help me. As 
soon as I was large enough I began to work 
in the field. But my first work was tending 
the hogs, cows and chickens; getting the 
calves up every morning and holding them 
off v/hile mother would milk. I also got in 
the wood and did all such jobs as came up 
around the house. My first work in the field 
was to clear new ground, picking up trash, 
cutting bushes and chopping cotton. I also 
picked cotton in the fall of the year. Then 
I began to plow and plowed three years. 

When I was about thirteen years of age 
the rheumatism began on me bad. First it 
started in my feet and they would swell so 

13 



14 "THE BRIGHT SIDE'* 

that I could not get my shoe on. Papa went 
with me to a doctor and got some medicine 
which helped me a little. I went back to the 
doctor and told him that the medicine seemed 
to help me, and he said, '*If you can get any- 
thing that will help you at all you had better 
get it," so I knew it must be a bad case. The 
next medicine did not help me at all and ] 
continued to grow w^orse. The pains went 
into my knees and they swelled ^nd then 
went in my hips. 

I never was any hand to give up so kept 
on working. I plowed as long as I could fol- 
low the plow, then took the hoe and hoed un 
til I could hardly get to the field. It would 
hurt my feet and legs so bad to walk but I 
would hobble along. Mother would try to get 
me to quit work but I kept on trying. On 
Monday morning I would think, "Well, Fll 
try to make it until Saturday night, and then 
I can rest on Sunday." And I would be so 
glad when Saturday night came. I would 
often get to where it seemed as though I 
could not go another step, and I had to al- 
most grit my teeth when it pained me so 
badly. I tried first one remedy and then an- 
other, but none seemed to help me. Yet I 
looked on the bright side and kept on going. 
My friends, this "Bright Side" is the side to 
look on. I do not know what I would have 
done had I not found a "Bright Side." 



CHAPTER IV. 

MY LAST WORK IN THE FIELDS. 

My last work in the field, to amount to any- 
thing, was in June of 1898. I was hoeing 
some millet cane down in the field about a 
quarter of a mile from the house. A shower 
of rain came up about eleven o'clock and I 
got under a water oak to try to keep dry, but 
I got a little wet, and when I had gone to the 
house and eaten my dinner, I could hardly 
get up. When I did get up I went to bed 
and have not done much work in the field 
since. I continued to get worse and had to 
use a stick to walk with and could get about 
very little. The rheumatism was in my feet, 
knees, hips and back and God only knows 
what I suffered. 

I do not like to dwell on these times when 
I suffered so much, but I am only telling you 
this because I want you to know all about my 
life. Please do not think I am complaining, 
this is something I have never done. I do 
not like to talk to people about my troubles, 
aches and pains. I had rather talk about the 
"Bright Side" of life. 

But I suffered awful those days and nights 
and could sleep but very little. Maybe I 
would drop off to sleep just before day-light 
but I never slept all night. I could hardly 
move or ride in a buggy and seldom got away 

15 



16 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

from home. Sometimes I went to my grand- 
parent's and also to visit my uncles, neigh- 
bors and friends, but I did not go to church 
much because of my suffering. So time went 
on and I realized that I was a cripple for life, 
and therefore I reconciled myself to my con- 
dition. 

RECONCILED. 

When first a cripple I became, 

And saw that I was getting lame ; 

To me it seemed a little hard — 

To take new ways and from the old depart. 

After a while I was resigned, 
I knew 'twas best not to repine. 
I began to look for little sunbeams, 
A little scarce at first they seemed. 

Now I find on this way, sunshine. 
This way has made me feel sublime. 
Friends, whatever your lot, do not sigh, 
You'll see the sunbeams if you try. 

Whatever then our lot may be. 
The sunbeams are for you and me. 
Do you find them as I do. 
Scattered around for me and you? 

I know now, this is a grand way, 
As I watch the sunbeams 'round me play. 
And they grow brighter each day and hour — 
As I watch them from my little tower. 

E. L. P. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 17 

After a few years I got so I did not suffer 
so much as at first, but my joints were stiff. 
I got so I could travel quite a bit by using 
crutches which papa made for me. Of 
course, I could walk no great distance, only 
around the house. 

In the spring of 1905 I took very sick and 
was so sick everyone thought I would not 
live. The doctor who was caring for me, 
said that there was no chance for me and 
quit coming to see me. One day there hap- 
pened along another doctor who came in to 
see me, and he said he could get me out of 
bed but that I would never be straight. I 
think it was before this doctor came that I 
had a kind of a vision. One day when I was 
very sick it seemed to me that I was taken up 
on spiritual wings where there was a ladder 
pointing heavenward. I started up this lad- 
der and climbed for a long time. Then I 
came to a door where someone was standing 
whom I thought was Jesus. He seemed to 
say, "You can go back and stay a little long- 
er, I have something for you to do." I know 
this was no ordinary dream for it seemed so 
different, but I cannot explain the difference. 
One time after I began to improve, (could 
get about in the house a little) I felt sleepy 
late one afternoon and went into my room 
and lay across the bed. I dropped off into 
a very deep sleep. It seemed I was having a 



18 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

sweet rest when one of my sisters came to 
call me for supper. She could not wake me 
and ran for someone to help her, but it was 
quite awhile before they could wake me up. 

After this, the doctor began to treat me 
and I improved some, but it was some time 
the next year before I could get around any. 
From that day to this I have never straight- 
ened up. My head is drawn almost to my 
knees, am perfectly stiff in my hips and back. 
My feet and knees are drawn some. I use 
little short crutches. I do not use them un- 
der my arm, just in my hands. After my 
joints got so stiff I did not suffer any real 
pain and can get around very well, though 
I cannot straighten. I have gor;d use of my 
hands and arms and can pick myself up on 
anything with them. 

After this sick spell I became interested in 
other cripples and shut-ins. Through the 
Shut-in Societies I have learned to know 
many and have corresponded with a number 
of them. Here is where I get some of 
my real sunbeams. There are none who can 
sympathize with the afflicted like they can 
with each other. Those who have passed un- 
der the rod of affliction can feel for each 
other as no one else can. Of course we have 
many loving and symipathetic people who 
will do all they can for us but they do not 
know like those who are afflicted. We who 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 19 

are afflicted could not do without the help of 
'kindred who do so much for us'. My heart 
goes out in thankfulness to those who have 
helped and are ever ready to help the afflicted 
ones. I cannot express my gratitude in 
words but I feel it just the same. Those who 
are always ready to lend a hand to our in- 
firmities, shall have many stars in their 
crown when Jesus calls them to get their re- 
ward for work in this life and their service 
to ''the least of these." We all have a work 
to do, even we afflicted ones can do something 
to help our fellov^onen. 

There is a place for us to fill, 
Some work for us to do — 

That no one else can or will 
Do quite as well, 'tis true. 

It may be close along our way, 

Some little homely duty, 
That only wants our touch and sway 

To blossom into beauty. 

Or it may be that daily tasks — 

Cheerfully seen and done, 
Will lead to greater tasks that ask 

For us, and us alone. 

Let us be brave whatever it be. 

The little or the great, 
To meet and do it perfectly, 

Then we have conquered fate. 



CHAPTER V. 

MY TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL. 

In the year of 1909 I had another little 
spell of sickness, not so bad as the first ones. 
I got so I could eat but very little, lived on 
milk for awhile. It was decided that maybe 
something could be done for me at a hospital 
in New Orleans, La. So on November 17, I 
went to New Orleans and the next day I en- 
tered €harity Hospital. I had never seen 
the like of sick people as I saw there. There 
were certainly a lot of them at that place. 
When I first got there the doctors seemed to 
think they could straighten me some. But 
after I stayed there awhile they examined 
me more closely and decided I had been 
drawn too long, it would not do to try to 
straighten me. They treated me for my gen- 
eral health and it improved a great deal and 
has been good ever since. I stayed in the 
hospital about three months. For three or 
four years before I went to the hospital I 
could hardly eat anything at all, but after I 
came back I could eat some of most anything. 
Of course I am particular about my eating 
yet and about the hygienic rules of health. 

I went to a Sanitorium in Kirksville, Mo., 
in September, 1919. My good friends and 
20 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 21 

some of my relatives contributed the money 
for me to go to the hospital, thinking they 
might do something toward straightening me 
there. I had a long ride on the train. I rode 
for two days and one night Though I only 
stayed there about ten days, the people treat- 
ed me so kindly that it seems I had known 
them for a long time. I made many friends 
on the way there and back. I went and came 
by the way of Montgomery and Birmingham, 
Ala., Nashville, Tenn., Evansville, Ind., St. 
Louis, Mo., and on into the northern part of 
Missouri, where Kirks vi lie is located. I 
think it is about one thousand miles from 
Kirksville to my home. I live eighty-four 
miles below Montgomery, Ala., on the L. & N. 
R. R., two miles from a little place called 
Wilcox. 

When gathering clouds around I view. 
And days look dark and all looks blue, — 
On Him I lean, who not in vain 
Experienced every human pain. 
He sees my wants, allays my fears, 
And counts and treasures up my tears. 



CHAPTER VI. 

SOMETHING OF MY LIFE. 

I live in the country on a farm with my 
father and mother. My parents are sixty 
years old. I am the oldest of six children. I 
have two brothers and three sisters, all are 
grown and married. I weigh one hundred 
and ten pounds, have dark hair and brown 
eyes. Though I am badly crippled and can- 
not straighten up, I can get about very well, 
though my head is down when I walk or 
stand. I have good use of my hands and 
arms, and have not suffered any real pain 
for several years. My general health is good, 
so don't you think I have much to be thank- 
ful for? I am a bachelor, have never been 
married, though I love all the girls. I do 
like to be with and correspond with those 
who see life as I do. Those who are afflicted 
ibut who are on the sunny side of life, are 
the ones I especially enjoy being with or 
reading letters from. Those are real little 
sunbeams and I like to send sunshine in ex- 
change. But I often wonder if any are as 
bright as those which I receive. 
22 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 23 

A SUNBEAM. 
I wonder if I a sunbeam could be, 
To shine in dark places where Jesus could 

see, 
To lift up the fallen or cheer up the faint. 
Or lighten the burden of some weary saint. 

ril scatter sunshine on the way so bare, 
Where thousands of travelers are loaded with 

care ; 
And cast a gleam o'er the face of the sick 
To show how God's power can bring changes 

quick. 

rii visit the homes where little ones dwell, 
Who love to play with the sunbeams so well ; 
And there bring a smile to each little face, 
So they too may feel His love and His grace. 

Oh, there is the mother with her load of care, 
ril try to lighten the trials she bears. 
Each morning I will give her a ray of light. 
To shine round about from morn until night. 

Yes, I had rather a sunbeam be. 
To scatter my blessings on land and sea, 
Than have all the gold a king can own 
And have a palace for my home. 

— Mamie E. Brown. 



CHAPTER VII. 
WITH THE CHILDREN. 

One of my greatest pleasures is to be with 
the children and share in their innocent play 
and amusements. I love all the children and 
to be with them, helps to dispel the gloom. 
The prettiest sight in all the world to me is, 
the sweet little innocent child in its play. 
Dear little children, while I am getting old 
in years, I am still young in mind and heart, 
and if I live to be twice as old, I want to stay 
young in mind. This house of clay may get 
old and crumble and decay but by eating the 
''Bread of Life" which Jesus gives, the in- 
ner man is renewed day by day, and will nev- 
er grow old. Jesus loves the little ones and 
when He was here on earth He took them in 
His arms and blessed them. Would you not 
like for Jesus to take you on His knee and lay 
His loving hands on your head? There is 
nothing so lovely as a pure innocent child, 
and Jesus tells men and women that unless 
they become as little children, they cannot 
enter the kingdom of Heaven. Dear children, 
try to always be as a little child as you grow 
into manhood and womanhood, stay pure in 
thought and deed. Keep your soul unspotted 
from the things of the world, stay pure and 
white and as you grow older in years also 
24 




With the Children. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 25 

grow in spirit and knowledge of our Lord 
Jesus. Keep your eyes ever on that bright 
and shining way that leads to that great city, 
*'The New Jerusalem." If you want to be 
loved by everybody you must be kind and 
good to them and love them. Then they will 
love you in return. Never let bad or unkind 
words pass from your lips. Be kind and obe- 
dient to your parents, keep pure love and 
kindness ever streaming from your soul. 
Never take anything into your body that will 
retard your growth physically or mentally. 
Read good wholesome books and papers and 
especially the Bible, as it is the best Book 
that was ever written. Solomon says, * 'Re- 
member now thy Creator in the days of thy 
youth." The Christian life is the happiest, 
grandest, and most noble life you can live. 
It will make you happy to live for the right. 
So dear children, you belong to Jesus now 
and as you grow older continue to be His and 
let nothing separate you from Him. Abhor 
all evil and stand for the right. 

''BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER." 
Kind words cost us nothing, 

But fill the heart with cheer. 
Jusv, speak them always darliner, 

Some one sure will hear. 

Only a kind word spoken 
To a soul with guilt oppressed, 



26 ''THE BRIGH TSIDE" 

It healed a heart that was broken, 
And taught of love so blest. 

Dear children, let us live each day so that 
we will say nothing or do nothing that we 
would not want Jesus to know. 

To you my dear children so bright, 
A few words of warning and comfort I write ; 
Live always as under the "eye of the Lord,*' 
And keep from all evil at home and abroad. 

Whatever you think in joy or in woe, 
Think nothing you would not like Jesus to 

know. 
Whatever you say, be careful my dear. 
Say nothing you would not like Jesus to hear. 

Whatever you read or wherever it be, 
>^ead nothing you would not like Jesus to see ; 
Whatever you write in haste or in heed, 
Write nothing you would not like Jesus to 
read. 

Wherever you go, never go where you'd fear 
To ask Jesus to go, if He were here. 
Whatever you would do for others, or for 

self, 
Do nothing you could not ask Jesus to help. 

A good rule to follow and one that is safe, 
(As through this life you your journey take) 
Is whatever you do or wherever you go, 
Do nothing you would not want Jesus to 
know. — L. 0. Hinton. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

PLAYING. 

Dear children, to be with you I do enjoy, 
Just the same as if I were a little boy. 
When I get to feeling just a little blue 
Then it is dear children that I come to you. 

Wlien there's little shadows creeping in my 

mind, 
I go to the children, of shadows there's no 

sign. 
Dear children, were it not for you 
Surely, I would not know what to do. 

With the children I like to play 
For I too have little ways. 
The children, I love them every one, 
With them I always have lots of fun. 

Yes, we have good times together. 
Especially when it is pretty weather. 
Though the weather be a little flurry, 
Over this we do not worry. 

No, over the weather we do not pine, 
Let it be bad or let it be fine ; 
For we are on the side that's sunny, 
We can always play something funny. 

27 



28 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

If very bad, the weather, you see, 
We often go play hide and seek, 
Behind the doors, under the bed. 
And often a bump we get on the head. 

With the dolls we sometimes play. 
When in the house we have to stay. 
Some live here, same live there 
In the corner, most anywhere. 

Have doll things all in a pile. 
Go to see each other awhile. 
Then we have the dolls to dress. 
So I see after little Jess. 

Most always when it is raining 
We will have a little singing, 
We keep time with the drops of rain 
As they hit on the window pane. 

Don't you know w^hat all we do? 

I cannot tell it half, to you. 

But I can tell you we do enjoy 

Playing with dolls and all kinds of toys. 

When it is getting a little late, 
A visit to the kitchen we take ; 
To the pantry we go creeping, 
Into the s^ie we begin peeping. | 

There we find some bread and butter 
Sitting on a shelf in the cupboard. 
Then we find some potatoes and meat, 
And on the door-step we take a seat. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 29 

There we talk of pleasures sweet, 
While we eat our bread and meat. 
Talk of one thing then another, 
Tell of how we love each other. 

Then I tell them stories too true, — 
Of when I could walk just as they do, 
How I used to run foot races, 
And sometimes won in first places. 

Of the time when I was straight, 
To no one did I need say, "wait." 
Then I could anyone outrun, 
Beat them running just for fun. 

Tell them of my days in school 
What I got for breaking the rule. 
Of only two licks I ever got — 
For laughing! I didn*t care a rot. 

Couldn't forget those two licks if I tried, 
Me and two others, sitting side by side. 
I know right where we'd always sit, 
On a bench up by the p-u-1-p-i-t. 

You see we got to laughing out, 
I do not know just what about. 
First we knew, down on our back 
Came the switch with, *'ca-whack.'* 

On the switch a shoe button was kept, 
And where it hit the sign was left. 
Let it come down with *'sa-whop" 
Then the laughing soon would stop. 



30 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

Dear children, listen very closely 
While we eat our bread that's toasted ; 
Of those days that I am talking, 
When straight up I was walking. 

When I could run fast and jump high, 
But for those days I do not sigh. 
For still I am with children dear. 
See, they are sitting now, right here. 

Children, my age is thirty-nine, 
In mind I am no more than nine. 
You see I love your little ways. 
And with you still I love to play. 

But children, don't you think we've eat 
All our bread, butter, potatoes and meat. 
Now let's wash our face and hands. 
Please run in and get the wash pan. 

Children, what next shall we do? 
I'll do an>i:hing that suits you. 
As we now can see the sun. 
In the yard we'll have some fun. 

There is room enough for all, 
Now let everyone play ball. 
We'll pitch the ball ten times each. 
How to catch it, I will teach. 

Then we'll have a little rope jumping, 
Where you give your toes a bumping. 
We'll build for us a house of clay, 
And there a little while we'll stay. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 31 

We will go to the bed of sand 
There we'll take a little stand. 
We'll build a little house for froggy, 
If the sand is not too boggy. 

We have played all these, have we? 
What'll we do next, let's see ! 
Let's all go and sit on the stile, 
There we'll rest a little while. 

Look over yonder, what do we see? 
We can see numerous kinds of trees. 
See, way up in the high hill top, 
Fd just as soon go there as not. 

What do you all have to say? 

Let all shout, that's the way! 

Sure, always when the weather's good 

We take a little trip to the woods. 

So I get Bob and Bill, 
Here we go to the hill. 
Bill and Bob are goats of mine 
Which never cut up a shine. 

Like little horses do they work. 
From their duty they never shii'k. 
Both of them are very white. 
You can see them in the night. 

Here we are on the hill so high, 
All around we can see the sky. 
Here we have a little round. 
Then sit down on a little mound. 



32 "THE BRIGHT SIDE'' 

Up on this little mound we may- 
Look and see far, far away. 
Across the river we can see 
Over the hill-tops and the trees. 

We gaze at a little rivulet, 
There we're going soon, you bet. 
This is the grandest place to be 
Among all nature, don't you see? 

Such a beautiful place as this 
All our time we'll never miss. 
Oh, how wonderful! we exclaim, 
Are the beautiful things we name. 

Beautiful nature all so grand. 
Then the children they all stand 
Still of beauties rare, exclaiming, 
We begin a little song singing. 

E. L. 



CHAPTER IX. 

NATURE. 

Oh, Nature beautiful and grand, 
As on this little mound we stand. 
With you we are playing, 
With you we are staying. 

Oh, beautiful nature of ours, 
With you those happy hours. 
I will play all the* time. 
Beautiful nature of mine. 

We love the sun, we love the trees. 
This is the place for you and me. 
Sun, let your rays on us abound, 
As we stand on this little mound. 

Sun, dear sun, let sunbeams spring 
While this little song we sing. 
Let your pretty sunshine beams stay, 
With us here, while yet we play. 

We love the clouds and sky so blue, 
Nature's wonders all seem so true. 
We love the plains and the hills 
And the valleys by the rills. 

We love the stars, we love the moon. 
The flowers that bloom by the lagoon. 
The stars and moon we watch at night, 
Which is a most beautiful sight. 
33 



34 ^'THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

From this mound we now must go, 
Down in the valley, don't you know? 
A message of cheer we all send, 
As this little song we end. 

Now we have sung our little song, 
We're going down to a little pond. 
So here we go down the hill 
To the pond and the rill. 

We gather holly 'neath the bay, 
Just before Christmas day. 
Now we'll build a flutter mill. 
And put it in this little rill. 

And we'll take a hook and line, 
That we make from a vine. 
For a hook w^e use a pin. 
To catch fish it is no sin. 

Here children dear, get your lids. 
The sun is now almost hid. 
Look, over the hill, how red. 
The sun is now going to bed. 

I can hear the cricket humming. 
We had better be a running ; 
Thought I heard my mama calling. 
Hasten, or we'll get a mauling. 

To one house we now are nearing. 
But here we must not be tarrying ; 
For some live over the hill. 
They are a mile from home, still. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 35 

So we all say good-bye, 

And old Bob, Bill and I, 

We go down the hill a staving, 

And I look back and keep waving. 

Soon in slumberland, each one, 
There to dream of our fun. 
There to dream of the day, 
Which so quickly passed away. 

E. L. P. 




CHAPTER X. 

WITH THE CHILDREN, BIRDS AND FLOWERS. 

What is sweeter than children, birds and 
flowers? I am writing these lines in the 
springtime. I am always glad to see spring 
come, after the long winter months. But 1 
love all the seasons of the year. I love the 
spring, the summer, the fall and winter too 

Children who read my little book» 
And on its little pages look; 
Come with me, a trip we'll race, 
Let me show you a pretty place. 

Children, let me take you av^ay. 
From the busy scenes of the day, 
From its gain and from its strife, 
To a place which I call ''Life/' 

Come with be, though in mind it be, 
I want you this place to see. 
All of you come and go with us, 
For we never will have a fuss. 

I will show you a real good time 
So come, all of you, get in line. 
We will go just two by two. 
Come on, every one of you. 
36 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 37 

To you whom I do not know, 
You need not come so slow, 
Though I am crippled up 
And may look a little tough. 

I'm not so bad as you may take, 
I hope you will not, m.e forsake. 
I love you, each and every one. 
So come, and we will have some fun. 

Come on, and I will tell my name, 
The name of one who is so lame. 
Come on, I want acquaintance, lots, 
My name I say, is Edward L. Potts. 

Now have you all run and hid? 
And laughed? I bet you did. 
That is all right, I do not care, 
I like to see you kids "rare." 

Fm not a common pot, I tell you — 
That we put cabbage or turnips into; 
Though these things, this Pott does need, 
It's a new kind, strictly self-feed. 

You see this Pott-s is a new invention. 
Now let me have your strict attention. 
Please do not run, all of you kids. 
This Pott-s takes off his own lid. 

Has four legs when he is walking. 
Only two when sitting and talking. 
You see, two of my legs are detachable, 
Now you'll be going away snatch-in-em. 



38 'THE BRIGHT SIDE*' 

There are some, call me Mr. Potts, 
To be called this I had rather not. 

*'Mr. Eddie," some like to call me, 
Just plain "Eddie" I had rather be. 

Makes no difference what I'm called, 
Not much difference to me at all — 
Just so you "holler" when its time to eat 
And say "at the table take a seat." 

My name I've said, is Edward L. Potts. 
Do you like it, or do you not? 
Now come on little children dear. 
Of where I live you now will hear. 

I live down in Southern Alabama, 
Where you can see the yellow-hammer. 
Dowm there where lots of cotton grows. 
Where there are many gopher holes. 

In Conecuh county, on a farm. 
Where the birds and flowers swarm. 
Near the river, the brooks and hills 
Here is the place that I live, still. 

Our county seat, a little town, Evergreen, 
From Montgomery and Mobile, halfway be- 
tween. 
From the county seat ten mile or about. 
Six miles from the P. 0. Owasso on the route. 

From the railroad, two and one-half mile, 
Here I go to mar'ket, once in a while. 
Of where I live, if more you wish to learn, 
You can with me, to another place turn. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 89 

Now children don't you think this will do ? 
Get your hats and caps, everyone of you. 
In mind, those who know me in person too, 
Though to some it will be nothing new. 

To a shady grove and a little flower bed, 
There is where we will all be led. 
Where the song birds sing every day. 
There is where we will go to play. 

Where the little bees are humming 
And the rabbits all are running. 
Where the squirrels each other chasing, 
Up and down the trees a racing. 

Off to this little land of wonders 
There we will have a day to plunder. 
All of you come, get in a row, 
It is now time for us to go. 

To a shady little grove. 
This is where we want to rove. 
Here are many flowers wild, 
We will stay here a long while. 

On the steep side of the hill 
Where all nature seems so still. 
Except us children, birds and flowers. 
We will stay here a few hours. 

Among the trees, the birds, the flowers. 
We sure can spend some happy hours. 
We hear the little birdies chirp, 
See every one is at his work. 



40 *THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

Children, let's gather flowers awhile, 
And put them on a little pile. 
Let us gather first, the roses 
Putting each one to our noses. 

Dont you think that they are pretty ? 
Yes, I know you do most surely. 
All the flowers are so sweet, 
At them we will take a peep. 

Pretty violets all so blue, 
In them we will take a "through'* 
We will gather bouquets of them, 
For we like to pull at their stem. 

Of all flowers we so much love. 
They are linked with heaven above. 
Lovely violets, so sweet so pure. 
They will anyone, to good allure.' 

After we have gathered flowers wild, 
Then we go sit down awhile. 
We will all the flowers take, 
And will many a bouquet make. 

Then while we are sitting down. 
On a little grassy lounge ; 
We will all our flowers divide. 
While we're sitting side by side. 

Some blue violets each will take. 
And some roses for love's sake. 
We make bouquets of many kind, 
Can't tell them all, have not the time. 




From Rosaline, by peruiission. 

True friendship is sweet, 
True friends love to greet. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 41 

Here on this little grassy seat, 

Where everything seems extremely neat; 

Here we sit a time that is long, 

And listen to the little bird's song. 

While we sit on this mossy place, 
We will watch the squirrels as they trace ; 
Each other up and down the trees, 
And go running through the leaves. 

We'll watch the birds build their nest. 
It seems they never need to rest. 
To watch them hop from tree to tree, 
We think a bird we'd like to be. 




CHAPTER XI. 

SPRING. 

Spring, beautiful spring, has come ; 
Listen to the bees, how they hum ! 
Listen ! how the birdies sing. 
They all know that it is spring. 

Buds now on the trees are popping. 
Through the trees the birds are hopping. 
Each one seems to be doing their best 
To find a place to build their nest. 

Listen' while the birds are singing, 
Cow-bells over the hills are ringing. 
The lambs are playing over the hill. 
Skipping down by the little rill. 

Pretty little flowers, wild 
Have been asleep for a while. 
But you'll see them pretty soon, 
They will all be in full bloom. 

All the seasons of the year are lovely, 
If we will each one of them study. 
On the ''Bright Side" there is no reason, 
You should not find beauty, in every season. 

Children, don't you think this fine? 
This place, to me seems most divine. 
In this place all seems so nice, 
Just like a little Paradise. 

E. L. P. 
42 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 43 

IN MY father's house. 

In our dreams we often wander, 
In a dreamland bright and fair. 

In a land where flowers of beauty, 
With sweet fragrance scent the air. 

There's a dream of golden vision, 
Of a heavenly land so bright, 

That I dreamed of, could I only 
Now to you this message write. 

Lo' I wandered in a country — 

Beautiful beyond compare. 
Golden harps were ever sounding, 

Heavenly music in the air. 

Rivers, too, as clear as crystal. 
Fountains with their silver spray. 

And the light of that country. 
Clearer than the light of day. 

— Selected. 



There's a land that is fairer than day, 
And by faith we can see it afar. 

For our Father waits over the way. 
To prepare us a dwelling place there. 

We shall sing on that beautiful shore. 
The melodious songs of the blest. 

And our spirits shall sorrow no more, 
Not a sigh for the blessings of rest. 



44 "THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

To our bountiful Father above, 
We will offer our tribute of praise. 

For the glorious gift of His love, 

And the blessings that hallow our days. 

Refrain — 
In the sweet by and by 

We shall meet on that beautiful shore. 
In the sweet by and by 

We shall meet on that beautiful shore. 
— By S. Filmore Bennet — Jos. P. Webster. 

Yes, dear children, we'll meet over there. 
If we're good, kind and true while we're here. 
By and by, on some glad happy day. 
On that bright, golden shore we shall play. 

There will be sweet perfumes on the air, 
From the trees of life over there. 
Where sweet flowers, will ne'er fading grow, 
So much sweeter than those here below. 

Then dear children, won't that be grand. 
On the banks of that river to stand ? 
On the banks of the River of Life, 
We will play in the sweet by and by. 

Chorus — 
In the sweet by-and-by. 

We shall play on that beautiful shore. 
In the sweet by-and-by. 

We shall play on that beautiful shore. 

E. L. P. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 45 
LAST WORDS TO THE CHILDREN. 

I expect to try always to be like you, 
Dear children, gentle, pure, kind and true. 
Jesus said, unless we be as a little child, 
We can not get to heaven after a while. 

Now children before you take your leave, 
Something I will ask, if you please 
Get each one of your many friends, 
An order for my book to send. 

These orders mean very much to me, 
And when they come, how glad I'll be. 
They'll make me feel like a little boy — 
When he gets his first little toy. 

Dear children, tell every one you meet. 
To order a book, now wont you? **Sweet" 
Many thanks to you every one, 
Don't you think we've had some fun? 

How do you like me? won't you tell? 
Do you think you like me very well? 
Hope you will all write me sometimes. 
Enclose a stamp and I'll answer every time. 

And now be kind and gentle and true. 
Then people will always have love for you. 
Keep your eyes on the shining way ever. 
And from Jesus never be severed. 



46 ^THE BRIGHT SIDE'* 

If on the shining way you keep, 
In Jesus' arms you'll safely sleep. 
Ever in Jesus put your trust, 
Never for any evil thing lust. 

From the sunny side do not be parted, 
Always he cheerful and light hearted. 
Don't look for things to grumble at, 
For you will find something, this or that. 

Grumblers who look for nothing new 
Never find anything, that, is true. 
If they do it is something bad, 
And they make everybody sad. 

With you children, birds and flowers, 
I have spent such pleasant hours. 
Now from you I hesitate to leave. 
It is so pleasant here under the trees. 

But now I guess we will have to go, 
Dear children, you will be good, so 
We will meet in the sweet by-andnby 
For this time we will say, **good by." 

E. L. 



A WISH. 

The children I so fondly love, 
I still will love them up above, 
Dear children play around my grave, 
As time goes on, from day to day. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 47 

And around my grave, in a ring, 
Sweet songs, I want you there to sing. 
Sing of that sweet, happy day 
When again with me you'll play. 

Bring the roses so wild and free, 
Plant them where blossoms wave over me. 
Bring little children to sit on my grave. 
There tell of Jesus the mighty to save. 

Tell them that death is a wide open door, 
Through which I've passed to the heavenly 

shore. 
Where I will meet them and greet them 

again. 
Free from all sorrow and free from all pain. 

Tell them to gather the roses and strew, 

Over my grave as they homeward go. 

Their friend will look down from mansions 

above 
And love them and bless them with Heaven's 

love. 

When from this world I am called to depart, 
Here is a wish that comes from my heart ; 
That this little poem may be placed. 
On something that marks my resting place. 

E. L. P. 



CHAPTER XII. 

WITH THE SHUT-INS. 

"Shut in with Jesus, Oh' wonderful thought, 
Shut in with the peace His suffering brought. 
Shut in with the love that wields the rod, 
Oh' company blessed, shut in with God." 

•1^ n» ^ H^ 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

— Psa. 23 

* * * » 

Dear sick and suffering ones, do not despair, 
For 'tis to you, God gives His tenderest care. 
The Shepherd walking, 'mongst his sheep. 
Seeks out the weary, sick ones and doth keep 
Them ever near so to guide and lead, 
And give them of His comfort in their need ; 
Are you too tired to put your prayer into 

speech? 
Be comforted, your Father you may reach 
With just a thought as with closed eyes you 

lie. 
Waiting for pain to pass you by. 
Just think your prayer, the Father knows it 

all, 
And bending low He hears the silent call. 
Do not despair, dear sick and loved ones, 

doubt nor fear, 
Just look for Him, and Lo' He is near. 

Mary D. Brine. 
48 




From Rosaline, by perniission. 

In the springtime of life it is sweet to wander 
by streams 'mid flowers. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 49 

There is a bright and golden light, 

That is shining on our way 
Tis the light of a Savior's love, 

And will lead to endless day. 



HIS WILL BE DONE. 

Oh' let us never then repine. 
Of worry, let there be no sign. 
There's a happy time for everyone 
If Jesus' will is truly done. 

Let us seek to do His will. 
Though He asks us to be still ; 
For His way is always best. 
And will give us peace and rest. 

Let "His will not mine be done" 
Then we'll see the sun ; 
'Round us it will shine so bright 
It will surely be a sight. 

Let us be as a little child. 
Then we take affliction mild. 
Sunbeams will around us play, 
We will see them every day. 

You see, this way I have tried. 
Though I don't, any of you chide. 
I know the way may seem rough, 
Be on the Sunny Side, we must. 



50 'THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

It will surely, all of us pay, 
On the sunny side to stay. 
When once we are on this side. 
It's easy then, there to ahide. 

Let us on the sunny side dwell, 
Then with us, all will be well. 
On Sunny Side we will be sure. 
Whatever comes, we can endure. 

We are flowers that have been pruned 
That we may bring forth more bloom. 
Let us be flowers so rare, 
That people will at us stare. 

Bloom so bright that we will glisten, 
And the people stop to listen, — 
To our songs of hope and cheer, 
Till they always want us near. 

May they all so inspired, 

Of this way they will inquire. 

As they see the brightness streaming, 

They will know it leads to heaven. 

We can tell them with a nod, 
Tis the path that Jesus trod. 
This is the way of peace and love 
Grows brighter, till we reach heaven 
above. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 51 

Then come on all you my dear friends, 
This is the message to you I send. 
Get on this bright and flowery way, 
And try, always, thereon to stay. 

This way will give you greater joy, 
Than anything you can employ 
Joy and comfort while here you live 
And in the next life, gladness give. 

Now all we afflicted ones. 

Let us say, ''Thy will be done'" 

Let us bloom as the flowers in May, 

Don't you think that it will pay ? 

Jesus suffered, passed under the rod. 
Thorns were many, in the path He trod. 
"Father, not my will, but thine be done" 
These were the words of God's own Son. 

E. L. P. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
DREAMS. 

Don't you like to dream sv/eet dreams? I 
will tell you one I dreamed the other night. 
I dreamed I was in a most beautiful city. 
How grand everything was ! I was going 
around enjoying the scenery, when I heard 
my name called, ''Eddie Potts.'" I looked 
and saw a group of most beautiful little girls, 
all dressed in white, sitting on a beautiful 
lawn. They also had some pretty dolls. When 
I looked at them they motioned for me to 
come to them and I sat down on the grass 
with them. They began to tell me the names 
of their dolls and I asked what their names 
were. So they told me their names. I stayed 
with them awhile and had a very nice time, 
but I soon awoke to find it, only a dream. 
Dear friends, those beautiful dreams will 
not always be dreams. Sometime we are go- 
ing to awal^en in that beautiful Land where 
they will be REAL. 

Think what it will be to open our eyes. 
In springtime splendor, with fairest skies. 
Where the snowy lilies like diamonds shine, 
And the roses bloom in that land devine. 
Where the birds they sing their praise to God, 
When we have passed from under the rod. 
52 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 53 
NEARING THE SHORE. 

How gleam the far, fair lights on shore, 

That tell of home and rest. 
While landward rolling in the breeze, 

We plow the waves' white crest. 

How faint and sweet the voices sound, 

That call to us from shore; 
They call to peace and rest and love, 

Our long, long, voyage o'er. 

Upon the strand soon we shall stand. 

Our faring forth all done. 
We shall bless our Captain then, 

Glad for the haven won. 

George L. Andrews — 



LOOK UP. 
Look up beyond the clouds. 

The beautiful sun is shining, — 
Beyond the mist which enshrouds 

Our path, God's love is shining. 

3^es, the morning bright and fair. 
Is coming fast, so cheer up. 

For everyone who trusts in God, 
The sky must shortly clear up. 

All who are patient, faithful and kind, 
All who accept Christ our Savior, 

Will certainly in due time find, 
The joy that lasts forever. 

— S. E. Roth. 



54 "THE BRIGHT SIDE'* 

KEEP THE BRIGHT SIDE OUT. 

Talk about the sunny days, 
If the clouds are in the sky. 

Think about the blooming ways, 
When the dead leaves flutter by. 

Do the kindly, helpful thing. 
Let the selfish pleasures go. 

And within your heart will sing, 
Something sweeter than you know. 

Keep the blessing on the fore. 
Press the murmur back awhile; 

Other hearts are troubled sore, 
Needing cheerful words and smiles. 

Look for what is best in all. 
Charity has veiled your eyes. 

Yet her glance is quick to fall — 
Where a hidden treasure lies. 

Talk of health and happy things. 
Let your woes be slow of speech. 

Life will shortly spread its wings, 
To a flight beyond their reach. 

Tell about the sunny days, 
Till before you are half done ; 

Down along the common ways, 
Joys come laughing in the sun. 

Copyright — ^by Annie J. Granniss, 
Printed by permission of J. A. Zepp. 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 55 

MOTHER. 

In all the world, go where you will, 

You will never find another; 
Who will cling to you, through good or ill. 

And love you like a mother. 

In all the world, where'er you roam — 

With sister, wife or brother; 
You will never know so sweet a home. 

As that one made by mother. 

In all the world, though wealth demands, 

For you the work of others ; 
You will never find a pair of hands, 

To toil for you, like mother's. 

In all the world, though friends sincere 
Are more to you than brothers ; 

lou will never find another here. 
With a voice as kind as mother's. 

In all the world, though you create, 

A pleasure for another, 
You can to none give joy so great, 

As you can give to mother. 

In ail the world, where you in bliss, 

May soon forget another; 
There is no one whom you will miss, 

When she is gone, like mother. 

— Selected. 



56 



THE BRIGHT SIDE" 



Yet a little while we linger, 

E're we reach the journey's end; 

Yet a little while we labor 

E'er the evening shades descend. 

On the banks beyond the river, 
We shall meet no more to sever, 

In the bright, the bright forever; 
In the summer land of song. 

— Selected. 





From Rosaline, by permission. 

A MARRIAGE SCENE. 
There's a bright side to married life, 
When Avith each other there's no strite. 
When two hearts in unison dwell. 
Then all will be well. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

HEAVEN. 

We are going to ask the reader to leave 
this world for a moment — in thought — and 
come v^ith me to get a view of heaven. We 
shall take it for granted that you believe 
there is a place called heaven. Whatsoever 
else man believes, there are few who do not 
believe that there is a place in eternity for 
man to abide forever. For our first view, let 
us take a look at the eternity of heaven. It 
is a place that has no end of time. Of course 
we cannot grasp the fulness of this fact, but 
think for a moment as far out into eternity 
as you can. There are no years in heaven 
but you can think of it as possessing years. 
Think of ten thousand years compared with 
this life. Then think of ten thousand times 
ten thousand, and you have one hundred 
million years. This is more than we can 
comprehend, but it is only a slight atom, 
compared with eternity. In fact when this 
vast period has passed, not any part of eter- 
nity is gone. The duration of eternity nev- 
er grows less. Such a place can be the abode 
of man. You can think of some whom you 
think have gone to that place. Some of them 
may be very dear to you. 

57 



e58 "THE BRIGH TSIDE*' 

Next, let us view heaven as a place of puri- 
ty, for such it is. It is the place where God 
has His throne. This fact is many times de- 
clared in the Revelation to John. He saw 
flowing out from the throne a pure river of 
water, clear as crystal. This suggests to our 
mind something of the purity of the throne. 
John .speaks of "the (Treat White throne." 
Whiteness is a symbol of purity. He speaks 
of seeing a rainbow round about the throne, 
like unto an emerald. God who reigns there 
is holy. '*Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of 
hosts." Jesus who is sitting on the right 
hand of God, is holy. The angels are holy, 
all the inhabitants of heaven are holy. Heav- 
en is so pure that "There shall in no wise 
enter into it, anything that defileth, neither 
whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh 
a lie." Rev. 21 :27. 

Those who are living in "adultery, forni- 
cation, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, 
witchcraft, hatred, variance, wrath, sedi- 
tion, heresies, envyings, murders, drunken- 
ness, reveling and such like," cannot enter 
the kingdom of heaven, because heaven is 
pure. This place is so pure that only the 
pure can go there. "Blessed are the pure in 
heart for they shall see God." 

Heaven is a place of love. In heaven ev- 
erybody loves. This indeed makes us long to 
be there. In this world is hatred, malice en- 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 59 

vy and strife; but in heaven there are none 
of these evils. Picture to yourself a place 
where there are unnumlbered myriads of an- 
gels, a multitude greater than any man can 
number, of all nations, kindred, tongues and 
people, all loving in the fulness of their souls. 
We all want to spend eternity in such a 
place. 

We also see heaven as a place of happi- 
ness. There is never a tear in heaven. Here 
there are tears ; but there all tears are wiped 
away. This is no mere sentimentalism, but 
a scriptural truth. "And the Lord shall 
wipe away tears from off their faces.'* Isa. 
25:8. "God shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes." Rev. 7:17. Here on earth is 
the place to sow; in heaven is the place to 
reap. Here we sow in tears, but in heaven 
we reap in joy. It is not true that we have 
none of the reaping or joy here, but there 
especially in heaven we shall reap. There 
is no shedding of tears, because the Bible 
says there is neither "sorrow or crying." 

Neither is there any pain in heaven, and 
there they never die. Oh, heaven, sweet land 
of purity ! where angels upon their harps of 
gold send forth sounds which awaken rap- 
tures that cannot be conceived by mortal 
man. 

No sorrow can enter such a land of bliss. 
The sacred songs of the angels, rejoicing 



60 *THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

around the throne, the concord of vocal 
strains pouring forth from the immortal 
throng; will thrill the hearts of the redeem- 
ed of all ages, with transformed joy. 

Heaven is a place of endless day; night 
never comes there, no darkness ever falls. 
God is light, they need no sun or moon. Ef- 
fulgent beams are shed forth from the eter- 
nal presence of God, in pure ethereal 
streams that so flood the eternal city with 
light, that all the darkness of Satan cannot 
i^end forth one little shade into that land of 
transcendant light. An ocean of glory from 
the white throne rolls in resplendent radi- 
?mce over the elysian fields of heaven, and all 
them that are saved shall walk in the light 
of it. Oh, reader, are you saved? Do you 
want to walk forever along the verdant 
banks of the crystal river of bliss, or through 
the fields of amaranth, wearing robes of 
white and bearing upon your brow the 
crown of life. Such an undefiled, unfad- 
ing inheritance is yours, reserved in heaven. 
To obtain it, will you not meet the conditions 
of God's word? — C. E. D. Selected. 



WHEN JESUS COMES. 
Some people seem surprised at the eager- 
ness of others for the return of the Lord Je- 
sus to the earth. \Vhy should they not be 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 61 

eager for Him to return when it will mean 
reunion for the parted, immortality for the 
mortal, health for the sick, land for the land- 
less, habitation for the homeless, plenty for 
the destitute, bread for the hungry, water 
for the thirsty, sight for the blind, hearing 
for the deaf, speech for the dumb, strength 
for the weak, youth for the aged, liberty for 
the captive, riches for the poor, peace for the 
troubled, rest for the weary, gladness for the 
sorrowing, songs for the sighing, perfect 
bodies for the cripples, mansions for the 
huts, crowns for the crosses, light for dark- 
ness, wisdom for ignorance, harmony for 
discord, and perfect beauty with an eternal 
inheritance in the kingdom of God for all 
His ransomed people. — Selected. 



CHRIST IS COMING. 
Nigh two thousand years have gone by 
since Jesus left this earth to go back to heav- 
en, there to prepare a place for those that 
do His will. He is coming again. Then for- 
ever, will be suspended the world's pleasures 
and business, with the allurements of the 
one and the wear, hurry and bustle of the 
other. These so often shut out God and 
leave no time for people to think of their 
soul's deep need. Then will be forever ar- 
rested, the world's boasted progress; and 



62 'THE BRIGHT SIDE" 

man in his mad career of proud indifferences 
to the claims of God, will be brought face to 
face with Him who is the appointed judge of 
all. "What is a man profited if he gain the 
whole world and lose his own soul?'* Matt. 
16:26. Reader, if Jesus should come this 
moment would you be ready? Are you on 
the bright and shining way where Jesus is? 
If not, do not fail to get there ; come to Jesus 
just now. Have you learned to live with 
Jesus? Has He become your nearest, dear- 
est friend of all? Is He ever interwoven in 
your thoughts of others? Are you always 
thinking of His love and care? Then do not 
worry if death comes for none who believe 
in Him will ever die. On this bright and 
"Sunny Side" we have nothing to fear if we 
only trust Him and look forward to that 
bright eternal home. May we all learn to see 
the glory of God in Jesus, until it brings us 
a present resurrection of buried hopes and 
a life full of joy in Him. ''We shall know 
each other there." "Meet me there" "In the 
sweet by-and-by, we shall meet on that beau- 
tiful shore" 

Down by the sea, the crystal sea. 
Where all the redeemed shall be. 
I say to all, stay on the "bright side" of life, 
'i hink of heaven. Oh, heaven, sweet happy 
home ! 



WITH HISTORY OF MY LIFE 63 

CONCLUSION. 

Friends, you may think from the way I 
write that I never do anything, but I do. I 
am busy most all the time at something. I 
can do many things about the house. I am 
agent for all kinds of magazines and news- 
papers and would be glad to receive all your 
siibscriptioii orders. Send for my catalog, 
low prices on magazines. Tell your friends 
to send me an order for my little book, for 
the small sum of $1. This won't amount to 
much to you who buy but to me it will help 
a great deal. 

I also will train and sell to anyone at a 
reasonable price, a pair of goats like the 
ones I drive. 

With best wishes and kind regards to all, 
I am, Yours on the ''Bright Side," 

Edward L. Potts, 

Owassa, Ala. 



AN EXPLANATION. 

Those that have given me advanced orders 
for my book, I hope will not think hard of 
me, about the size. I tried for a long time 
to get all the original copy printed, but failed 
because of high cost of printing. This is not 
half as large as the book I wanted. I had to 
cut down the size to get it printed. 



M-W 



